Child Bullying
In last post, we discussed about how to help kids learn STOP bullying and be bullied. This post is all about helping you identify if your child is in the “Bully/being bullied phase, along with some practical ways to help kids come out of that phase.
We wrote about, why do kids bully in the last post, but what all symptoms can you observe if you child is the one who has resorted to bully other kids. Have a look at the possible signs and then as a parent, initiate the corrective action.
Signs of a Child Bully :
- Lots of Anger and uncontrolled behaviour
- Empathy loss, No pain for someone in need
- Lack of self confidence, reacts negatively too quickly
- Has already been bullied, abused earlier
- Lack of social skills
- Boasts egoism and jealousness
- Wants to remain in the limelight (famous)
- Name calling, teasing kids
- Tries to be bossy or be superior to all
- Even hurts & teases animals
It’s really hurting to see kids at this end, but what comes as a responsibility for us, is to pull them out of this behaviour.
Here are some ways to help child bullying deal with their behaviour :
In many of the children, who tend to bully, you would find a feeling of Insecurity and aggression. It is here that they need to learn Anger Management, they need to work on dealing with too strong emotions. Things which can help them to control their feelings and improve social skills :
1. Professional / Parental Counselling for Anger Management:
Kids need to understand a difference between the emotions and behaviour. They can feel angry but to behave negatively with anyone around during anger phase is what they need to control. Usually kids who take their anger to unruly behaviour, have a strong feelings of embarrassment, inferiority, sadness. Try to make it a point to know their feelings and speak about them daily. Early Parental talks heals these feelings a lot.
2. Ensure an non provocative environment at home :
There are many moments in life, at home, when we, as adults also display our negative reactions and lose our temper. Remember, your child is watching you. Deal with those emotions in a simple way. Quote those instances to your child and then make them understand how to react positively under such situations.
3. Ensure the random acts of kindness and love at home :
Appreciate when your child takes a positive stance from his negative feelings. Accolade him if he tries to curb his anger. Keep on doing small acts of kindness, try to help needy. Inculcate positive qualities in kids right from early childhood. Appreciate kids or family members who take a stand and come in front to help others. Show gratitude to people in your life in front of your kids. Love animals and teach kids these acts as well.
4. Asking help doesn’t downgrades anyone :
As kids grow they tend to develop a feeling of not asking for help. They think this will lower down their ego and self respect. Teach children from the very beginning that asking help is good. We all have different skills, and taking help from someone only enhances our relationship. There is nothing to feel ashamed or sorry about that. Show them instances of how a small help, worked out amazingly for you.
5. Involve kids more in social gatherings :
Social gatherings usually have a positive aura. Involve kids in such gatherings, give them time to know other kids. Help them to introduce themselves and showcase their positive works. Let them get the feel of a community.
6. Use their energy into creative manner :
Keep child bullying engaged in sports / Creative works/Volunteering tasks. Reading stories which showcase Empathy, Gratitude and similar optimistic emotions. Allow them some time to self – assess their emotions and behaviours. Speak to them, after their self assessment. Involve them in Role Playing and put them at the other end of the game to understand the emotions of someone who is being bullied.
7. Inculcate Empathy & Gratitude :
Let kids know that their small acts of empathy can help someone. Praise kids when they care or help someone. They must see themselves as individuals who should care and value the emotions and acts of others. Tell them via stories how non empathetic behaviour hurts and how kindness and help can really bring a smile to others. Deal into emotional verbal conversation with your kids daily if you find them going away from these emotions.
8. Meditation :
Believe me, Meditation really works in controlling negative emotions and boosts up self confidence in a child. It helps in circulation of good hormones. Encourage that your family meditates daily atleast for 30minutes a day to have a calm and positive mind.
Continue onto our next post, which deals if your child is on the other side of the coin, i.e. if your child is the victim of bully. Understand from your child’s behaviour and initiate the help measures to boost up their confidence.
Hey lovely readers, I would love you to share here your thoughts and various other measures that would help a Bully child to come back and control their negative emotions! Definitely, I’ll add on the valuable suggestions, with due credits.
Till then,
Nurture beautiful values in kids right from the start!
Happy Positive Parenting!
This post is written as a part of the #AlexaTheIncredible campaign hosted by #womenbloggerwb”
Nothing more that I hate than a bully, especially a child one. Personally I blame the parents, but I think it is good to make your child aware of bully’s and who to stear clear of.
I can’t remember an incident of bullying when I was in school. It is so sad that children today must deal with it daily. Especially when it can be dealt with in the ways you suggest.
Thank you for addressing this side of the Bullying coin. We see too often posts about the victims of bullying, but rarely do we see anything about the possibility that our own children are the bullies.
It’s awesome that you have posts on both if your child is bullied or the bully. I’m not a parent, but these seem like great tips.
One of the best things to do is to show kindness and be the person you want your child to be! Be an example!
I love that you’re sharing this because bullying needs to stop. It’s really important that parents take notice of this and evaluate whether their child is the bully or the one being bullied. So much has come from bullying, especially suicide and it breaks my heart every time because it could have been prevented.
i love what this promotes & that you’re raising more awareness around it. child bullying is still a big thing in most childrens development and its a tough issue to deal with. especially since most people disagree on methods. love these options.
Anything about bullying is always relevant as it is very crucial and when not curbed and/or addressed properly, it extends into adulthood and manifests in those with clique mentalities. Great post!
Love the message here. It is essential we parents pay attention to our children to ensure they are at their best every time.
Wow! This is the first time I have come across a post that addresses this issue. Truly, no parent wants to accept that their kid could be the oppressor – your post is useful for all parents. Keep writing 🙂
Love this a lot.. Have dealt with so many troubled souls and most times its just your act of love that brings them out in their troubled and depressed state. Very insightful and educative write up.
You have some pretty good ideas here. I am curious as to how you would get a child to be able to do the meditation, but I have no doubt it would be helpful to them if you can get them to practice it. Encouraging them to ask for help is also exceedingly important if they want to resolve issues.
Very nice and realistic points you have mentioned here.. And atlast mediitation is very important since early ages to keep mind calm .
You have touched a very important topic here. It is so important for parents to pay attention to these signs and follow your advise to help the kids.
This is a must Topic to discuss . Great tips for kids who are in this kind of activity
I totally agree with whatever you said.. identifying the traits that our kid is the bully and helping him out of this phase is very essential.. A counselling session is a must!
Bullies generally do it out of their need for attention and hiding their own insecurities. With proper help and environment it can be controlled. Good points.
You justjsummed up all right tips for our kids, we should keep achecka on them
bullying is something which affects worstly to both sides. Honestly this is a major issue in our soceity these days andit should be kept at check since childhood. I loved your post
Loved how you ended the post with strong words – Happy Positive parenting. Its so difficult for any parent to acknowledge and accept that their child is bullying others. There are not many posts written on the topic.
Professional counseling in such cases can make all the difference seriously
You have nailed the issue.. It’s really important to recognise this and help your child right on time.
These are some great tips for parents to identify the signs of bullying and how they can take corrective measures..
Bullying signs in kids can be seen from very beginning, we often ignore thinking that’s alright or Just a kid. But from behavioral point of view – that needs immediate attention. You have taken up a very bold subject for discussion here.
Thanks for jotting down these tips and such a needed article!
Very helpful post for the parents… Must read.
The fact that bullying has slipped down to very young children too worries me. I still don’t understand the reason behind why children love bullying. One reason I can think of which probably initiates this nature is lack of parents’ time or involvement. My daughter is close to 3 yo and I can totally understand how the kids who are bullied go through. I hope this post reaches far.
Bullying is such a serious issue we all have to worry about .. it’s high time we put an end to it by teaching our kids how horrible it is and how they should face problems !